fesseth, that, "However those Protestants, which live under Popish governors, have done wisely in deputing some choice men, selected out of their congregations, whom they call Elders, to share with their Pastors in the care and management of ecclesiastical affairs: yet, those Protestant Churches, which live under the government of Protestant princes, may, with the safety of those respects which mutually intercede betwixt pastors and people, forbear any such deputation; forasmuch as the supreme magistrate transfers, for the most part, to himself, that, which is the wonted charge of those deputed Elders:" concluding, that "those men do merely lose their labour, who so busily endeavour, on the one side, to disprove the Antiquity of the Lay-Eldership; and, on the other, by weak proofs to maintain, clean contrary to the mind of the Apostle, that the text of St. Paul (1 Tim. v. 17.) is to be understood of Pastors and Lay-Elders." Thus he with what fair probability, I leave to your judgment.

Neither is it any intention of mine, to meddle with any piece of that government, which obtaineth in other the Churches of God; but only contribute my opinion, concerning the now-tobe-settled affairs of our own.

What shall I need to suggest unto you the dangerous underworkings of other sects? secretly endeavouring to spring their hidden mines, to the overthrow both of the one government and the other; whereof, without speedy remedy, perhaps it will be too late to complain. No doubt, the wisdom and authority of that great Senate, whom ye also serve to advise, will forthwith interpose itself to the prevention of those mischiefs, which the variety of these heresies and sects, though some of them cloaked with the fairest pretences, threaten to this poor Church. It is no boot for me to tell you, that the less disunion there is, the more ground of safety; and, that where the holy purposes of reformation may be effected with the least change, there must needs be the most hope of accordance.

ous.

The rest, to the wise application of the powerful and judiciIt is enough for me, to have thus boldly shot my bolt amongst you, and to have thus freely discovered my honest and well-meant thoughts to so able judgments. What I want, in my poor endeavours, shall be supplied with my prayers, that God would be pleased to compose all our miserable distractions, and to put a happy issue to the long and perilous agitations of this woefully tottering and bleeding Church and Kingdom. Which the good God of Heaven vouchsafe to grant, for his great mercy's sake; and for the sake of the Dear Son of his Love, Jesus Christ, the Just! Amen.

September 12, 1644.

PHILALETHIRENÆUS.

ΧΕΙΡΟΘΕΣΙΑ:

OR THE

APOSTOLIC INSTITUTION

OF

IMPOSITION OF HANDS, FOR CONFIRMATION, REVIVED.

TO ALL GOD'S FAITHFUL PEOPLE EVERY WHERE,

GRACE AND PEACE.

Nor out of any light affectation, or out of a cross humour of vainly striving against the stream (my witness is in heaven;) but, out of a care to approve my faithfulness to God's Church, have I undertaken this subject. Mine eyes tell me too plainly, that an Apostolical Institution is palpably neglected: and my heart tells me, both how infinitely advantageous and beneficial the practice of it, if duly revived, might be to the Church of Christ; and how extreme losers God's people are, by the want of it. I durst not, therefore, but impart these thoughts to the world, before I leave it: humbly recommending them to the serious consideration of all well-affected Christians; who shall soon find, upon these poor suggestions, how happy it were, if, in this case, we should walk with an even foot, in the mid-way, betwixt Romish Superstition and profane neglect. The God of Heaven make us wise to salvation, and guide our feet into the way of peace! Amen.

IMPOSITION OF HANDS.

SECT. 1.

IT is no small wonder to me, that, amongst all those great wits of the latter times, that have so curiously pryed into all the corners of Apostolical Institutions and practices, I could meet with no one, that hath so much as taken notice of this, of the Imposition of Hands: which yet, all the while, lay so broad open before them, as that the doctrine thereof is, by the Apostle, reckoned amongst the first principles of Christian Religion.

Is it, for that men are unwilling to know some truths, whose unpleasing consequences they would be loth to own? or, is it, that they are carried away with so high a prejudice against this practice, by reason of the extreme abuse of it, as that they are afraid to entertain any thoughts concerning it?

However it be, certainly the Spirit of God hath not doubted to place this, amidst the rank of the clearest and most concerning verities; and amongst such, as are essentially fundamental to our Christian profession: joining it together with those main principles of Faith, Repentance, Baptism, Resurrection, and Judgment".

What shall we say then? Dare any Christian presume to say, that the Apostle, the great and wise master-builder of the Church', mistook the foundation whereon he built? Or, dare any presumptuous soul single this one article from the rest, as merely temporary, when all the rest are granted to be of eternal use? Can there be any time, wherein faith, and repentance from dead works, shall not be necessary, both for knowledge and practice? Can it be, that baptism should be ever out of date? Can the doctrine of the resurrection from the dead, and of the last judgment, be ever unseasonable and superannuated? How, or why then should that of Imposition of Hands, which is indivisibly marshalled with all these, by the blessed Apostle, be shuffled out from the rest, as arbitrary and altogether unnecessary?